Sunday / February 5. 2023
menu-logo menu-logo
brand-logo
Subscribe
Subscribe
Sunday / February 5. 2023
  • Read
    • Daily News
      • Financial
      • Insights
      • U.S.
      • International
    • Digital Issue
    • Cover Stories
    • Feature Articles
    • Company Spotlights
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Executive Announcements
    • Forward Thinking
    • For You | For Your Field
    • Working Smart
    • New Perspectives
    • From the Publisher
  • Listen & Watch
    • Direct Approach
    • Iconic Insights
    • The DSN Podcast
  • Attend
    • Direct Selling University
    • Global Celebration
  • Achieve
    • Global 100 List
    • CCR Program
    • Best Places to Work
    • Bravo Awards
    • Legends
  • Research
    • Digital Momentum Index
    • Stock Watch
    • Stock Ticker
    • Supplier Directory
    • Resources
  • Engage
    • Supporter Program
    • VIP Text Alerts
  • About
    • About DSN
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Store
    • Connect
  • Search
Subscribe
Technology concept. 3D render.

On Web’s 30th Birthday, Inventor Pens Open Letter

BY DSN Staff | March 12, 2019 | read / Daily News / Insights

The world wide web inventor Tim Berners-Lee is calling for a “fight” against hacking and abuse on its 30th birthday.

A CNN article by Rob Picheta reported that Berners-Lee has called for global efforts to tackle state-sponsored hacking, criminal behavior and abusive language on the internet, in an open letter marking the 30th anniversary of the revolutionary technology.

Tim Berners-Lee acknowledged that “many people feel afraid and unsure if the web is really a force for good,” in a letter published for his World Wide Web Foundation on Monday.

“While the web has created opportunity, given marginalized groups a voice, and made our daily lives easier, it has also created opportunity for scammers, given a voice to those who spread hatred, and made all kinds of crime easier to commit,” the letter added.

Berners-Lee, who has previously rallied for improvements to the technology, said the “fight for the web is one of the most important causes of our time.” He added: “You can’t just blame one government, one social network or the human spirit….To get this right, we will need to come together as a global web community.”

The computer scientist submitted his first proposal for an “information management system” on March 12, 1989, plans that his boss called “vague but exciting.”

Thirty years later, around half the world’s population is online, but tech giants that dominate the internet, including Google, Facebook and Twitter, have been criticized in recent years for failing to stem the spread of misinformation and harassment on their platforms.

Berners-Lee identified three major “sources of dysfunction” affecting the web: deliberate malicious intent, system design and unintended negative consequences of benevolent design.

The first, he said, resulted from issues like state-sponsored hacking and criminal behavior; the second from entities like ad-based revenue models “that commercially reward clickbait and the viral spread of misinformation”; and the last produced problems such as “the outraged and polarized tone and quality of online discourse.”

He urged governments, companies and citizens to “ensure the other half (of the world) are not left behind offline, and that everyone contributes to a web that drives equality, opportunity and creativity.”

Berners-Lee launched a campaign called “Contract for the Web” at the Web Summit tech conference in Lisbon, Portugal, last year.

More than 50 companies and organizations, including Facebook, Google and the French government have signed the contract, which will be published in full in May 2019.

Read the complete text of Berners-Lee’s letter here.

Posted in Daily News, Insights and tagged CNN, Facebook, Google, hacking, Portugal, Tim Berners-Lee, Twitter, World Wide Web Foundation.
Related Articles
DSA Submits Comments Regarding the FTC’s Proposal to Update the Business Opportunity Rule  February 02, 2023

DSA Submits Comments Regarding the FTC’s Proposal to Update the Business Opportunity Rule 

Read more
FTC Proposes Ban of Noncompete Clauses  January 31, 2023

FTC Proposes Ban of Noncompete Clauses 

Read more
A Third of Americans Are Already Ditching their New Year’s Resolutions  January 19, 2023

A Third of Americans Are Already Ditching their New Year’s Resolutions 

Read more
brand-logo
The News You Need.
The Name You Trust.
Subscribe

Breaking global news, emerging trends and powerful stories conveniently curated to help direct selling executives stay informed, engaged and a step ahead.

  • Read
  • Listen & Watch
  • Attend
  • Achieve
  • Research
  • About
  • Connect
5717 Legacy Drive
Suite 250
Plano, Texas 75024
info@directsellingnews.com
Copyright 2023 Direct Selling News | All Rights Reserved
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT